What causes those white powdery stains on my brick walls?

That's efflorescence. It's salt left behind when water evaporates from the brick. It's not the problem, it's a symptom. You need to find and fix the source of the water that's getting into your wall.

How can I tell if a crack in my masonry is a big deal (structural) or just cosmetic?

My rule of thumb: If it's a hairline crack just in the mortar, it's probably cosmetic. If the crack is wide enough to stick a dime in, follows a stairstep pattern up the wall, or actually breaks through the bricks themselves, it's structural. Time to call a pro.

Is tuckpointing a DIY project, or should I hire a professional?

For a small patch, you can DIY it if you're patient. The hard part is matching the color of the new mortar to the old. For an entire wall, hire a professional. They'll get it done much faster and the final result will look a heck of a lot better.

Why is my brick wall bulging?

A bulging or bowing wall is a very serious structural issue. It's often caused by failed wall ties, hydrostatic pressure, or foundation problems. Do not try to fix this yourself. It can be dangerous. Call a qualified mason or a structural engineer immediately.

Masonry Problems on Your House? (Troubleshooting & Fixes)

Quick Answer

Okay, so here's the quick version on your crumbling brick wall. Nine times out of ten, the real villain is water. It gets in the mortar, freezes, and blows everything apart. For small stuff, like a few crumbling joints, you can probably fix it yourself with some mortar and a tuckpointing tool for under $100. This is called tuckpointing. But if you're seeing big, gnarly cracks, or a wall that's bulging out? Don't be a hero. That's a structural problem. You'll need to call in a real mason, and that can run you into the thousands.

Masonry Problems on Your House? (Troubleshooting & Fixes) visual diagram — Visual guide for diagnosing key fob issues

Common Symptoms

Cracks in mortar joints or the bricks themselves, especially stairstep patterns.

Crumbling mortar that feels like sand when you poke it with a screwdriver.

Spalling, which is when the face of the brick flakes or peels off.

Efflorescence, a white, chalky residue on the surface that indicates water movement.

Bricks or stones that you can physically wiggle or that have fallen out.

Bulging or leaning walls, which is a major structural red flag.

Visible water stains or mold growth on the masonry surface.

Possible Causes

Water Infiltration: This is the big one. Water from rain, snowmelt, sprinklers, or leaky gutters gets into the masonry, freezes, expands, and blows the material apart from the inside. This freeze-thaw cycle is brutal.

Foundation Settling: As the soil under your house shifts or compacts, the foundation can move unevenly. This puts immense stress on the rigid masonry above, causing classic diagonal step-cracks.

Poor Original Construction: The original builder might have used a bad mortar mix, poor quality bricks, or didn't properly fill the head joints. It's a ticking time bomb that goes off decades later.

Age and weathering: Nothing lasts forever. Over many decades, sun, wind, and rain will simply erode mortar joints, making them weak and brittle.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Step 1

Perform a visual walk-around. Get a big-picture view of where the damage is located—high up, down low, one side of the house, etc.

Step 2

Do the 'tap and poke' test. Tap bricks with a screwdriver handle to listen for hollow sounds (indicating looseness). Poke mortar joints to check if they are soft and crumbly.

Step 3

Look for signs of water. Follow water stains or efflorescence (white powder) upwards to find the source, like a leaky gutter, bad flashing, or poorly sealed window.

Step 4

Inspect the foundation and grading. Check for cracks in the foundation itself and ensure the ground slopes away from the house to direct water away.

Step 5

Check gutters and downspouts. Make sure gutters are clean and downspouts are discharging water at least 5-10 feet away from the foundation.

Masonry Problems on Your House? (Troubleshooting & Fixes) — Key fob troubleshooting and repair overview

DIY vs Professional Costs

Repair Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost	Time Required
Patching Minor Mortar Cracks	$20-$50	$300-$500	1-2 hours
Tuckpointing a Small Section (10 sq. ft.)	$50-$200	$300-$700	4-8 hours
Replacing a Few Loose Bricks	$30-$100	$500-$1000	2-4 hours
Serious Structural Rebuild	N/A	$3,000-$25,000+	Days to Weeks

Patching Minor Mortar Cracks

DIY$20-$50

Pro$300-$500

Time1-2 hours

Tuckpointing a Small Section (10 sq. ft.)

DIY$50-$200

Pro$300-$700

Time4-8 hours

Replacing a Few Loose Bricks

DIY$30-$100

Pro$500-$1000

Time2-4 hours

Serious Structural Rebuild

DIYN/A

Pro$3,000-$25,000+

TimeDays to Weeks

When to Call a Professional Masonry

You find large, wide, or long cracks, especially ones that follow a 'stair-step' pattern or split bricks in half.
You notice any bulging, bowing, or leaning in a masonry wall. This is a structural emergency.
The area needing repair is very large, like an entire wall that needs repointing.
The damage is to a critical structural element like a chimney, foundation wall, or a load-bearing arch.
You can see signs of water damage but cannot figure out where the leak is coming from.

Prevention Tips

Clean your gutters every spring and fall and add downspout extenders to carry water far from the foundation.
Ensure the soil/grade around your home slopes away from the masonry walls.
If you use a sealer, make sure it's a breathable silane/siloxane type to avoid trapping moisture.
Trim bushes and vines away from brick walls to allow for air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Perform a visual inspection of your masonry twice a year to catch small problems before they get big.
Check and maintain the caulking around windows, doors, and any other wall penetrations.

Masonry Problems on Your House? (Troubleshooting & Fixes) professional repair detail — Professional key fob repair and programming

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Efflorescence on Brick Troubleshooting & Fixes (2024 Guide)

Got that ugly white powder on your brick? Here's a veteran mason's guide to what efflorescence is, how to get rid of it, and how to stop it for good.

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